Time: No
particular time
Setting: The
stage is empty except for a small manger, center, and a low stool about six
feet behind it. Six small bundles are scattered at the feet of the aisles. One
bundle contains a simple shepherd’s robe, shoulder bag and staff; one contains
a simple man’s robe; one contains a simple woman’s robe; and the other three
contain ornate robes, crowns and boxes. The location of these bundles will be
determined by where each of the speakers enters: the SEEKER will end up with
the shepherd’s bundle; the FATHER and MOTHER will have the simple robes; the
three CHRISTIANS will have the royal bundles. A seventh bundle, a long, white
robe, lies next to the stool.
The lights come up, soft. After a moment a WOMAN enters and crosses to the rear of the manger, kneels, and looks in, smiling gently. As she remains kneeling and smiling, five men (the SEEKER, the three CHRISTIANS, and the FATHER) and one woman (the MOTHER) appear at the rear of the auditorium. [NOTE: The SEEKER should be played by the same actor who played JONATHON in the first scene; the FATHER and MOTHER should be played by the same actors who played the FATHER and MOTHER in the second scene.] They are spread out across the back and separate from each other, except for the MOTHER and FATHER, who stand together. After a moment, the WOMAN on stage looks up, and, still smiling, addresses the SEEKER.
WOMAN: Who are you?
SEEKER: I – I scarcely know myself. A – seeker, I guess.
WOMAN: Why are you here?
SEEKER: I – really don’t know. I mean, religion is all so – so ethereal. I suppose I figured I might as well try in here, it being this season and all.
The WOMAN shifts her attention to the MOTHER and FATHER.
WOMAN: Who are you?
FATHER AND MOTHER: (in unison) A Christian, of course.
WOMAN: Why are you here?
FATHER: Well, I guess it’s the tradition, you know? I mean, this is where Christians are supposed to be at Christmas, right?
MOTHER: It’s for our children, really. We don’t have to be here, but we want to make sure they have plenty of religious teaching, so we bring them here when we can.
The WOMAN
shifts her attention to the three CHRISTIANS.
WOMAN: Who are you?
CHRISTIAN #1: A Christian.
CHRISTIAN #2: (overlapping) A Christian.
CHRISTIAN #3: (overlapping) A Christian.
WOMAN: Why are you here?
CHRISTIAN #1: I’m weary. I’ve been fighting that madhouse out there. I need rest.
CHRISTIAN #2: I’m frustrated. I feel like I’m drowning in a sea of secularism. I need renewal.
CHRISTIAN #3: I’m angry. I can’t stand what they’re doing to Christmas. I need peace.
The SEEKER
starts walking slowly down the aisle.
SEEKER: It’s kind of bizarre that I even considered coming in here. I mean, I’m an atheist, you know? But I’ve never really been happy with my life or myself. I feel like I’m missing something. I’ve been looking for that missing piece everywhere. I’ve tried drugs and sex and money and work and play and – well, now I’m into philosophy. And I thought I would see how so many people could be so happy in religion, of all things.
The SEEKER freezes in the aisle as the FATHER and MOTHER begin walking slowly.
MOTHER: We’ve been Christians for years. Of course, after we were married, there was no way we could keep up the intensity of the spiritual lives we had when we were single. And now, with the kids….
FATHER: I know I’m not the spiritual leader I should be.
MOTHER: I know I’m not much of a godly wife or mother.
FATHER: We fight all the time.
MOTHER: He’s hit me once or twice.
FATHER: I’m afraid she’s started abusing the children.
MOTHER: He’s not much help to me, physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
FATHER: She’s not much help to me, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. But then, after so long, I guess we can’t expect much from each other or God, can we?
The
MOTHER and FATHER freeze in the aisle as CHRISTIAN #1 starts slowly walking.
CHRISTIAN #1: The world has gone insane, everybody pushing and shoving, blasting their horns at you. Shopping used to be fun. Everything about Christmas used to be fun. I remember, when I was a kid, the anticipation, the excitement. Now it’s all rush, rush, rush. How can I possibly have any energy left for God?
CHRISTIAN #1 freezes in
the aisle as CHRISTIAN #2 starts slowly walking.
CHRISTIAN #2: I look around at all the secular garbage that’s sprung up, and my stomach gets all knotted inside. Santa, elves, toys, tinsel, lights – all a bunch of fakes. And the greed! I try to get into the mood to worship, but I can’t!
CHRISTIAN #2 freezes in
the aisle as CHRISTIAN #3 starts slowly walking.
CHRISTIAN #3: Every year I start out promising myself that this year it’ll be different, that this year I’ll stay calm, recapture the “peace on earth” that was promised. But then I see the cards and ornaments go on sale in July, and the frantic toy commercials. And the closer you get to Christmas, the worse it gets – shoppers stampeding over each other to get the last whatever-it-is on the shelves, television jabbering its mindless “specials”, and everywhere, the canned music blaring bland carols over and over until I swear if I hear “The Carol of the Bells” one more time, I’ll throw up! And today I nearly got creamed by some drunk driving home from his office party. By Christmas Eve, I’m ready to scream!
CHRISTIAN #3 freezes in
the aisle.
SEEKER: (Not moving) Would you look at me? Cowering before a God who isn’t even
there! This whole thing is ridiculous! (He turns to go)
WOMAN: How do you know He isn’t there?
SEEKER: (Turns back) How do I – isn’t it obvious? Just look around you!
WOMAN: Ever since the creation of the world, His power and deity have been clearly perceived in the things that He’s made.
SEEKER: All right. (Begins walking down the aisle again.) Let’s assume there is a God. I’m not saying there is – just for the sake of argument, let’s pretend there is. What kind of God would come to earth as a tiny, helpless baby, in abject poverty?
WOMAN: (Stands and walks to the shepherd’s bundle) A God Who wants to be able to say, “I know what you’re going through because I went through it, too.” A God Who wants to be approachable, not a figurehead high atop some pinnacle beyond human reach. (Picks up the bundle.) A God Who loves you enough to meet you more than halfway in your search.
The
WOMAN meets the SEEKER at the foot of the aisle and hands him the robe and bag.
He puts them on during the next speeches.
FATHER: This is hopeless. I feel nothing. (Turns
to go)
MOTHER: It’s all just empty tradition. (Turns to
go)
WOMAN: You have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember what you fell from. Repent and do the works you did at first.
FATHER: (Turns back and starts walking down the aisle again) That’s easy to say! But how can I just turn my back on all my responsibilities?
MOTHER: (Turns back and starts walking down the aisle again) I want to recapture the love I once had, for God and my husband. But where do I start?
The WOMAN goes to the
simple robes and picks them up.
WOMAN: Jesus came as a little child, a brand new beginning for an age-old plan of salvation. His birth becomes our example. You must become like children again yourselves, approaching God with all the simple innocence of your first experience. He has already promised to forgive you and renew your spirits. Of course, it will mean sacrificing some pride. But it also means the power to live your life the way He meant you to.
The
WOMAN meets the FATHER and MOTHER at the foot of the aisle and hands them the
robes. They put them on during the next speeches.
CHRISTIAN #1: I can’t fight any more. I’m just too tired. I
may as well just hide myself in a hole someplace. (Turns to go)
WOMAN: The Lord gives power to the faint. Those who wait for Him will have their strength renewed. They’ll fly like eagles, run without tiring, walk without fainting.
CHRISTIAN #1: (Turns back and starts walking down the aisle again) That sounds so beautiful! But I can hardly get up the energy to say “Amen”, let alone fight for something!
WOMAN: (Goes to the first royal bundle and picks up the robe.) He doesn’t ask that you fight, but that you surrender – and that takes no energy. All it takes is the willingness to wait quietly for Him.
The
WOMAN meets CHRISTIAN #1 at the foot of the aisle and hands him the robe. He
begins putting it on during the next speeches.
CHRISTIAN #2: I can’t understand how anyone can possible
live a successful Christian life in this day and age, with the whole world
conspiring to bury us in their own filth. It was so much easier back in the
early days of Christianity. But now…. (He shrugs and turns to go)
WOMAN: The Lord does not change. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.
CHRISTIAN #2: (Turns back and starts walking down the aisle again) All right. I guess I knew that. But it’s hard to remember when all you can hear or see or feel is the world, battering away at you.
WOMAN: You’re in the world, but you’re not a part of it. (Picks up the second royal robe) You have what the world doesn’t – a hiding place, a place of prayer, where you can go and hear His voice and be cleansed of all the filth that tries to bury you.
The
WOMAN meets CHRISTIAN #2 at the foot of the aisle and hands him the robe. He
begins putting it on during the next speeches.
CHRISTIAN #3: It’s no use. I can’t even think of God, I’m
so worked up. (Turns to leave)
WOMAN: Be angry, but don’t sin in your anger. And don’t let it hold over from day to day, gaining control over you.
CHRISTIAN #3: (Turns back and starts walking down the aisle again) Don’t you think I’ve tried? But I can’t do it! Every time I resolve to stay calm, some idiot pulls some boneheaded stunt, and I explode!
WOMAN: Don’t cling to your anger. Give it to God! (Picks up the third royal robe) You don’t have to deal with it – let Him do that. That’s what He came for. That’s why He lived a human life. He knows anger.
The
WOMAN meets CHRISTIAN #3 at the foot of the aisle and hands him the robe. He
begins putting it on during the next speeches. Meanwhile, the WOMAN turns back
to the stage. During the next speeches, she goes to the remaining bundle and
puts on the long, white robe.
SEEKER: (Hesitantly approaching the manger, picking up the shepherd’s staff as he reaches it) God, I really don’t think you exist. But I’m desperate enough to try anything. If you really don’t exist, then I guess this prayer is useless, and I’m no better or worse off than I was before. But if you’re real – and I’m not saying you are – but if you are, then show yourself to me. Let me know that you’re there, and that Jesus really is the answer I’ve sought.
The
SEEKER freezes behind and to the left of the manger, peering into it while
leaning slightly on the staff. Meanwhile, the MOTHER begins approaching.
MOTHER: God, it’s been so long since I’ve talked to You. But I remember how much I loved You and how my life with You was so exciting. I need that, more than I’ve ever needed anything else. And I need my husband’s love, too, like it used to be between us. I’m so lonely. God, help me!
The MOTHER kneels at
the left end of the manger and freezes, looking into it, as the FATHER begins
approaching.
FATHER: God, I’ve been so busy for so long, I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to talk to You. I know I haven’t been the Christian man You want me to be. I’m disgusted with some of the things I’ve done. But if You’re willing to forgive me and take me back, I’m willing to try.
The
FATHER bends over the MOTHER’s shoulder and freezes,
looking into the manger, as CHRISTIAN #1 begins approaching, putting on the
crown and taking up the box as he reaches them.
CHRISTIAN #1: God, I’m tired. I’m mortally tired. I want to worship You, but I can’t think straight. I don’t know how many times I’ve fallen asleep at prayer meetings, or been distracted by worries. If You can give me new strength, then please do so!
CHRISTIAN
#1 freezes a few paces to the right of the manger, looking at it, as CHRISTIAN
#2 begins approaching. He puts on his crown and takes up his box when he
reaches them.
CHRISTIAN #2: God, I can’t take much more of this world. It twists me into knots, and I don’t know where to turn. I need Your help, God. Give me peace. Quiet my soul.
CHRISTIAN
#2 freezes behind CHRISTIAN #1, looking at the manger, as CHRISTIAN #3 begins
approaching. He, too, puts on his crown and takes up his box as he reaches
them.
CHRISTIAN #3: God, I’ve been so angry. I don’t like it. I want to stay calm, but I just can’t. You walked this earth, You know what it’s like. Help me! I give you my emotions. Teach me how to control them they way You want.
CHRISTIAN
#3 freezes behind CHRISTIAN #2, looking at the manger, as the WOMAN walks
around in front of the manger to address the audience.
WOMAN: Call out to Him! He can lead you to a quiet place, a simple place, as quiet and simple as a humble stable. A place of rebirth, of renewal. A place of peace, of strength. A place where you’ll find what you’re seeking. A place where you’ll find the love that was lost. A place where you’ll find release from anger, from weariness, from frustration. Come! All He asks is an honest heart. Tell Him exactly what you’re feeling – He’ll honor that. Come!
The
WOMAN walks back around the manger to the stool and steps up on it, letting her
robe drop to the ground to hide the stool, so that she “hovers” above the
scene. She spreads her arms and smiles out at the audience.
WOMAN: Who are you? Why are you here?
The
WOMAN waits a moment, then still smiling and with her arms still outspread, she
looks down into the manger and freezes.
The
choir sings the last two lines of “Silent Night” as the lights slowly fade on
the nativity scene.
THE END